Terror attacks up streaming-media downloads

A record number of US office workers used streaming media in September to keep up with the unfolding terrorist events.

Data from Internet-measurement service Nielson/NetRatings said 21.1-million workers used a multimedia Web cast last month, compared to 17.4-million employees in September 2000.

Five million people used Apple's QuickTime. Microsoft's Windows Media drew 11.2 million users, while RealNetworks had an estimated 16.9million followers.

Jarvis Mak, a senior Internet analyst for NetRatings, said: "When you don't have access to radio or TV, the Internet is the best news source because it can become, in a way, your immediately updated newspaper."